Prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections in rheumatoid arthritis and

DOI: 10.5152/eurjrheumatol.2014.018
Original Investigation
Prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections in rheumatoid
arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: A multicenter
countrywide study
Neslihan Yılmaz¹, Ömer Karadağ², Gezmiş Kimyon3, Ayten Yazıcı4, Sema Yılmaz5, Umut Kalyoncu²,
Timuçin Kaşifoğlu6, Hakan Temiz7, Birol Baysal8, Nurdan Tözün9
Abstract
Objective: Immunosuppressive therapies, especially tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, are frequently used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). These therapies can induce viral reactivation in concurrent hepatitis B virus (HBV)- or hepatitis C virus (HCV)positive patients. On the other hand, the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections is not exactly known in RA and AS patients. The aim of this study
was to investigate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in RA and AS patients.
Material and Methods: A group of 1517 RA and 886 AS consecutive patients followed by six different rheumatology outpatient clinics of Turkey
were recruited in this study. The prevalence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibody (anti-HCV) were retrospectively investigated.
Results: The mean age was 49.0±13.2 years in RA and 37.3±10.5 years in AS patients. HBsAg prevalence was 35 (2.3%) in RA and 27 (3%) in AS
patients. Anti-HCV prevalence was 17 (1.1%) and 10 (1.1%), respectively. In the RA group, both HBsAg and anti-HCV positive patients were older
than negative ones (p<0.05), and the highest prevalence was found in those 60-69 years (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In previous national data, the prevalence of HBsAg has been reported as 3.99% and shown to increase with age. In this study we have
found a lower HBV infection prevalence in both RA and AS patients according to Turkish national data. This result may explain by being younger age
of our patients. In another conclusion, lower prevalence could be related to, joint complaints may less consulted to Rheumatologist in HBV positive.
Key words: Hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis
Introduction
1 Department of Rheumatology,
İstanbul Bilim University Faculty of
Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
2 Department of Rheumatology,
Hacettepe University Faculty of
Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
3 Department of Rheumatology,
Gaziantep University Faculty of
Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey
4 Department of Rheumatology,
Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine,
Kocaeli, Turkey
5 Department of Rheumatology,
Selçuklu University, Faculty of
Medicine, Konya, Turkey
6 Department of Rheumatology,
Eskişehir Osmangazi University
Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir, Turkey
7 Department of Microbiology,
Diyarbakır Training and Research
Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey
8 Department of Gastroenterology,
Diyarbakır Training and Research
Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey
9 Department of Gastroenterology,
Acıbadem University Faculty of
Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
Address for Correspondence:
Neslihan Yılmaz, Department of
Rheumatology, İstanbul Bilim
University Faculty of Medicine,
İstanbul, Turkey
E-mail: [email protected]
Submitted: 27.03.2014
Accepted: 02.04.2014
Copyright 2014 © Medical Research and
Education Association
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases
with a complex and partially understood etiology. Several pathogens have been debated to trigger the initial immune response necessary for development of RA or AS in a genetically susceptible host (1-4). Numerous viruses have been associated with the development of inflammatory arthritis, including the hepatitis
viruses [hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)], human immunodeficiency virus, parvovirus B19,
human T-cell lymphotropic virus-I, and alpha viruses (5).
Hepatitis infections are widespread diseases in the world, and an estimated 2 billion people have been infected with HBV (6) and 170 million people have been infected with HCV (7). Immunosuppressive therapy,
especially tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors and anti-B cell therapy, can induce viral reactivation
in patients with concurrent HBV infection (8-10). Therefore, screening for HBV and HCV infection is recommended for patients who receive immunosuppressive therapy (11).
The prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in the general population may differ according to geographic regions. In Turkey, HBV and HCV prevalence was reported to be 3.99% and 0.95%, respectively (12). Although
the frequency of HBV and HCV infections is not expected to be different in RA (13) and AS patients from the
general population, multicenter countrywide studies are required to support this idea. The aim of this study
was to investigate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in RA and AS patients.
Material and Methods
Study Population and Design
A total of 1517 (female/male: 1185/332) RA and 886 (female/male: 394/492) AS consecutive patients regularly being followed in rheumatology outpatient clinics from six different countrywide geographic areas of
Turkey were recruited in this study. Inclusion criteria were fulfilling American College Rheumatology (ACR)
1987 RA (14) or 1984 New York AS criteria (15) and being ≥18 years old. The prevalence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibody (anti-HCV) was retrospectively investigated and compared with results of
51
Yılmaz et al. Frequency of hepatitis in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
a nationwide prevalence study of “Turkish association for the study of liver,” which included
5465 subjects (12).
Clinical and laboratory data [serum aminotransferase (aspartate aminotransferase- AST,
alanine aminotransferase- ALT), HBsAg, anti-HCV, HBV DNA, and HCV RNA] were evaluated according to patient medical records. ALT
and AST levels >40 IU/mL were considered
high transaminase levels.
Serological Tests
HBsAg and anti-HCV were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients with positive HBsAg or anti-HCV results
were additionally tested for HBV DNA or HCV
RNA in serum. HBV DNA and HCV RNA were
tested by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR)-based method. Positive
tests were defined as >50 IU for HBV DNA.
Statistical Analysis
Variables are labeled as mean±standart deviation (SD). Comparisons between medians were
made by using Mann-Whitney U-tests, due to
the abnormal distribution of continuous variables; differences were considered significant
when p<0.05. Chi-square test was used in
quantitative variables.
Results
HBsAg and anti-HCV prevalence of the general
population and RA and AS patients is summarized in Table 1.
RA patients
The mean age was 49.0±13.2 years, and the
mean disease duration was 6.6±6.2 years in the
RA group. HBsAg seropositivity was found in 35
(2.3%) patients, and anti-HCV was in 17 (1.1%)
patients. Both HBsAg- and anti-HCV-positive patients were older than negative ones [mean age;
(HBsAg(+): 55.1±11.1 vs. HBsAg(-): 48.8±13.2
years, p=0.002) and (anti-HCV (+): 57.7±9.6 vs.
anti-HCV (-): 48.9±13.2 years, p=0.005)]. HBsAg
was more prevalent in male patients (male: 4.2%
vs. female: 1.8%, p=0.009) and subjects aged 6069 years (p=0.005) (Table 2).
In the HBsAg(+) group, 17/30 (56.6%) patients
had positive HBV DNA results and 7 patients
had high AST and/or ALT levels. In patients
with anti-HCV(+), 4/14 (28.5%) had positive
HCV RNA results and 2 had high AST and/or
ALT levels.
AS Patients
The mean age was 37.3±10.5 years, and the
mean disease duration was 6.6±6.0 years in AS
group. HBsAg seropositivity was found in 27
52
Eur J Rheumatol 2014; 1: 51-4
Table 1. HBsAg and anti-HCV prevalence in RA and AS patients and general population
HBsAg n (%)
Anti HCV n (%)
General population (n:5465)
RA (n:1517)
AS (n:886)
218 (3.99)*
35 (2.3)
27 (3)
52 (0.95)
17 (1.1)
10 (1.1)
*p<0.01; * vs. RA and AS patients.
HBsAg: hepatitis B virus surface antigen; anti-HCV: hepatitis C virus antibody; RA: rheumatoid arthritis; AS: ankylosing spondylitis
Table 2. Seropositivity rate of HBsAg according to age groups
Age (years)
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
Overall
RA n %
AS
n%
140 0.7
225 1.3
392 1
422 2.8
255 5.1*
83 2.4
1517 2.3
2081.4
3463.5
2143.3
853.5
336.1
---8863
*p=0.009, 60-69 years vs. other ages, in RA group.
HBsAg: hepatitis B virus surface antigen; RA: rheumatoid arthritis; AS: ankylosing spondylitis
(3%) and anti-HCV was in 10 (1.1%) patients.
According to age, there was no difference between the HBsAg- and anti-HCV-positive and
-negative patients [(HBsAg(+): 39.9±11.4 vs.
HBsAg(-): 37.2±10.5 years, p=0.16) and (anti-HCV(+): 46.7±12.6 vs. anti-HCV(-): 37.2±10.4
years, p=0.08)]. In addition, no difference was observed in HBsAg and anti-HCV results between
gender in the AS group (HBsAg; 3.9% vs. 2% and
anti-HCV; 1.2% vs. 1%, respectively, p>0.05).
In the HBsAg(+) group, 8/20 (40%) patients had
positive HBV DNA results and 4 patients had
high AST and/or ALT levels. In anti-HCV(+) patients, only one patient had positive HCV RNA
results and 2 had high AST and/or ALT levels.
Discussion
Hepatitis virus infections are an important issue
for rheumatologists because of the difficulties
in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of
rheumatic diseases. HBV and HCV infections
may present with several rheumatic manifestations and may have a role in the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases (5-6, 8-12).
Otherwise, immunosuppressive drugs are
commonly used in the management of rheumatic diseases and were shown to induce viral
reactivation in HBV- and HCV-positive patients,
and in most instances, flares are asymptomatic.
Several case reports have documented HBV reactivation in inactive HBV carriers treated with
methotrexate (16) and biologic agents, including infliximab (17-20), etanercept (21), adalimumab (22), and rituximab (23, 24). Therefore,
ACR recommends screening for HBV and HCV
before non-biologic or biologic immunosuppressive therapy (11).
Hepatitis B virus and HCV infections are widespread diseases in the world, and their prevalence in the general population differs according to geographic regions, ranging from over
10% in Asia to under 0.5% in the United States
and Northern Europe (25). In another point,
hepatitis infection may present with numerous
extrahepatic manifestations, and patients often apply to different specialties according to
the predominant clinical feature. Patients’ joint
symptoms (of the most common extraarticular
findings) may be believed to be associated with
HBV in certain times, and this situation may reduce referrals to rheumatologists in patients
with joint complaints. So, the real prevalence of
these infections is not exactly known in RA and
AS patients. In the ESPOIR cohort, the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infection was reported
as 0.12% and 0.86% in early arthritis (13). In addition, HCV prevalence was reported as 0.65%
in 309 RA patients in France (26, 27). These values were not greater than expected based on
data from the general population in the same
geographic area (28-31). In another study from
China, the prevalence of HBsAg was shown as
12.8% in the general population, 9.6% in RA patients, and 23.9% in AS patients (32).
In our country, HBV and HCV prevalence was
reported as 3.99% and 0.95% in the general
population, and the prevalence was shown to
differ according to age and geographic region.
The highest HBV prevalence was found in the
southeastern part (9.9%), and the lowest prevalence was found in the western part (0.7-2.5%)
of Turkey (12). In our study, we found similar
anti-HCV prevalence in RA and AS patients
compared to the general population. On the
Eur J Rheumatol 2014; 1: 51-4
Yılmaz et al. Frequency of hepatitis in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
other hand, we showed a lower prevalence of
HBsAg seropositivity in both RA (2.3%) and AS
(3%) patients according to our national data.
The highest HBV prevalence was found in Diyarbakir (RA: 4.3% and AS: 4.7%), and the lowest prevalence was determined in Adapazari
(RA: 1.4% and AS: 1.9%); this distribution was
similar to the nationwide data of Turkey.
Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.
According to age, HBV and HCV positivity was
lowest in 18-30 years (2.9%) and tended to increase by age; the highest level was seen in 5059 years (5.3%) for HBV and >70 years (2.4%) for
HCV in the general population(12). However, in
our study group, the mean age was 49 years in
RA and 37.3 years in AS patients. In addition, a
large amount of patients (in AS group; 96.2% and
in RA group; 77.7%) were under 60 years. Based
on the results of our study, lower prevalence of
HBV infection in both groups may be related to
be younger age of patients. In another point,
treatment guidelines recommend HBV vaccination prior to immunosuppressive therapy in
recent years. Although we do not have the exact
history about patients’ vaccinations, we recommend HBV vaccine to all patients before starting
therapy with both biologic and nonbiologic
drugs. HBV vaccination may be responsible for
the low HBsAg prevalence in our patients.
2.
Our retrospective observational study has a
number of limitations. First, we did not screen
our patients for anti-HBs (HBV surface antibody)
and anti-HBc (HBV core antibody) antibodies.
Therefore, we can not rule out that some of our
patients had HBV infection with HBsAg levels
below the detection threshold. Second, we
have some missing data about HBV DNA and
HCV RNA results and HBV vaccination history.
In conclusion, we have found a lower HBV prevalence in patients with RA and AS according to
the general population. This result may be associated with being young age or vaccination
of HBV in our groups. In another comment,
HBV-positive patients with joint complaints
may be less consulted to rheumatologist. This
observational result must be replicated in further large-scale studies.
Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this
study has received no financial support.
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Ethics Committee Approval: N/A.
Informed Consent: N/A.
Peer-review: Externally peer-reviewed.
Author contributions: Design - N.Y., Ö.K.; Supervision
- N.Y., Ö.K.; Data Collection&/or Processing - N.Y., Ö.K.,
G.K., A.Y., S.Y., U.K., T.K., H.T., B.B.; Analysis&/or Interpretation - N.Y., Ö.K.; Literature Search - N.Y.; Writing - N.Y.;
Critical Reviews - N.T.
Acknowledgements: We would like to thank to Dr.
Ahmet Mesut Onat and Dr. Bünyamin Kısacık for their
contributions.
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